mr tanner makes good

Since my friend Brandon already did a great write up I’ll just link over to him for the actual story.  I’ll just say that this guy could sing his laundry list and it would sound amazing. . .

soundtrack of my life

I saw a friend do this the other day and it looked like fun.  Basically you just shuffle all your music and write down what songs come out next to the different scenes from the movie of your life. . .

Opening Credits: The Decemberists – The Crane Wife, Parts 1 & 2

Waking Up: Death Cab for Cutie – Talking Bird

First Day of School: The Eames Era – I Don’t Mind

Falling in Love: Weepies – Take It from Me

Fight Song: The Smashing Pumpkins – This Time

Breaking Up: Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer – Popsicle

Prom: Queen – You’re My Best Friend

Life: Rilo Kiley – Science vs Romance

Driving: Moby – Porcelain

Flashback: Nirvana – All Apologies (from Unplugged in New York)

Getting Back Together: Ray LaMontagne – Trouble

Wedding: Jonathan Coulton – The Future Soon

Party: She & Him – Sweet Darlin’

Birth of A Child: Gogol Borrdello – When the Trickster Starts A-pokin’

Final Battle: The New Pornographers – Chump Change

Funeral Song: Guns ‘n’ Roses – November Rain

Ending Credits: Foo Fighters – My Hero

Now, I do have to admit I cheated some because I have so much random music and podcasts and spoken word stuff on my Zune that half the list would have made no sense.  So I skipped some songs and tracks if I didn’t recognize it or it was a stand up comic or something like that, all the songs did still appear randomly from my playlist though.

So what does this list say about my taste in music?  I think it says I’m a geek with a penchant for 90’s rock and Indie pop bands no one’s ever heard of.   Seems about right.

dangerous information

After I got off work tonight I went down to Santa Cruz with Brandon.  To hit up one of the local bike shops in my search for a new bike.  I actually got a lot of great tips from people at Spokesman Bicycles that firmed up in my mind what it is I want in a bike.  I feel a little bad though because I will probably be going over the hill to take advantage of the 20% member discount I have during this month.  If it weren’t for that discount, I would definitely buy from one of the local shops.

After we walked around Spokesman for a while (I did buy a helmet so I didn’t leave empty handed) we headed back to the car and I had every intention of leaving.  Brandon insisted we couldn’t leave 45 minutes on the meter so we headed off down the street to find a coffee shop that is apparently the favorite of people who like to be different as a crowd.  We kept walking down the street and happened across MetaMusic Records.   MetaMusic is the kind of record store I’ve wanted to find since I got down here.  I’m sure any real local thinks I’m an idiot for taking this long to find it but, well, I now know and I’m sure I’ll be going back sooner rather than later.  Anyway, MetaMusic is one of those rare stores that actually caries new vinyl.  And not just unopened records from decades past, but new releases.  So I picked up a couple by two of the groups I’ve really come to like in the last six months.

I really like listening to records.  I can’t claim the audiophile ear that actually hears a real noticeable difference versus CD or digital format, but it is definitely more of an experiential exercise in listening to music.  Listening to a record is the only time that I will put on music, and then just sit there with my eyes closed and listen.  I also really like playing records when I have people over or I’m cooking.  I was playing my Taj Mahal blues record last night while we were BBQ’ing for St. Patrick’s and it made for a great backdrop.  Anyway, Coffee Cat is about to close up shop so I’m going to head home.  Later!